The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-03-26

who had been full OF anxiety about the
Colonel, gave him the warmest welcome
and the return of Percy-he had left his
home in high displeasure with every one 8
few days before, and had not written since
was hailed with open delight by Milly
with quiet satisfaction by MIR. Winstanley
and with relief which she tried ineffectu-
ally to hide by Lady Flora.
"Yeu are our good angel, always" she
said to the Colonel as Percy having beer
taken possession of by Milly) she seizet
the opportunity of speaking quietly to hel
guest. But | wonder how you managed.
TO bring your son back, do You meant
said the Colonel cheerfully. THAT was
mere accident, can assure you-due to the
weather, not to me. / have something else
to speak to you about-you and Mr. Win
stanley-and as my time is short"
Your time is short; what do you mean
Colonel?" said Winstanley, who, delighted
to have captured such guest rs the Colo
mel in midwiner, lad been laying out al
manner of elaborate plans for his amuse-
ment. lyon will not leave us under 6
month, surely
When you have heard what I have tc
say" said the Colonel, "you may 10. be sc
ready to keep me-"
you cannot have anything to say that We
shall not be pleased to her." said Lady
Flora; but though she spoke courteously
her brows contracted.
Was he against her too, he, as well as hel
husband. who would not acknowledge that
she had done right in sending Lefty away
Was her sons future to be bighted because
no one about him but herself had common
sense2
Plenty of time for speaking" said Mr..
Winstanley. Let US come to supper
now"
Fearful that her husbands easy going
wish to oblige everybody, with the infiu-
ence of the Colonel, who, she saw at once,
was on the side of the lovers, might prove
too much for her own strength of will and
common sense, Lady Flora centrived TO
see the Colonel alone.
After supp<r, when her husband and son
We're having game of billiards, which she
and the Colonel were watching, she
beckoued him into the drawing room, and
their talk began. In a few moments, she
was thankful that they were alone, for
lost her self-control.
1t was strange, for there was nothing in
pressve in the Colonels language. His
words, indeed, were Of the simplest. As
in his plain, soldierly fashion, he told his
tale, he was vexed with himself for not put
ting it better. He began by reminding
Lady Flora of former interview between
them. He had told her then that he loved
Lefty Morrison. He had not changed; he
loved her still
This being SO, Lady Flora would under
stand that her happiness was very near to
his heart. He had reason 10 believe that
she returned the feelings OF love and adj
miration which Lady Flora's son enter
tanned for her. Could anything, the Colonel
said, be more natural? Then, for his COM
panions face was beginning to work dam
gerously, he proceeded TO open out his
plan.
Il am thinking" he said, "of going back
to my former life. 1t is the only life, be-
lieve. that | am suited for. Perhaps you
know that | have not any near relatives.
My brother and sisters are dead. They left
no children. have cousins, but they are
not of my name, and they are strangers to
me. / shall never marry now, and there is
no reason why | should keep High Cliffe.
| have sold il.
"Sold High Cliffel" cried Lady Flora
Colonel Lyndon, how could you?"
Il assure you, it gave me DO trouble.
am rather glad to be rid of the response
bility. Now, Lady Flora, please listen to
me. High Cliffe has sold well-extraordi-
narily we'll. l did not depend upon it
alone, as perhaps you know, SO l am q rich
man now.
Il am very glad to hear it, said Lady
Flora, smiling family. She was little
surprised that the Colonel should, at such
time, talk Of nothing but / is own affairs.
He went on, III a curiously changed
voice: You see what my position is-a SOL
ltary man, not young, whose life may be
cut short at any moment. What is money
TO me? l should leave it, by W II, to my
young friends. II l wish to see them
happy during my fe-time-Letty and your
Percy, mean-you would not deny me the
pleasure, Lady Flora?"
make them happy, don't understand, "
murmured Lady lora Wiustanley.
DO you not? But it is perfectly simple.
l am raid l am tel ing you in rounda-
bout way" said the Colonel. "In plain
words, have some spare cash at my bank
pounds, think. l wish to settle it upon
them"
BY this time Lady Flora was weeping IN
restrainedly. What is it? what is it?'
said the Colonel, il great distress. II hope
l have not yexed you."
You have only surprised me-" answered
Lady Flora through her tears. MY dear
Colonel, you are perfect baby still. You
must know that this mad scheme of yours
is impossible.
why is it mad?"
"Why is it mad?' Because no one else
but Yourself would think of il for mo-
ment.'
mi bit not that be one reason for its be-
ing sane?" said the Colonel, smil ng. But
come! YOU and / are old friends, and | am
sure, when Won see now near this is to my
heart, you will not oppose me. l have just
one other piece of news to tell you about
Lefty; and then we will take Mr.. Winstan-
ley and Percy into our counsels." With
that he told Lady Flora about the five
thousand pounds-Jetty independent
fortune, which, he said, he held in trust
for her
1T was paid over to me Just before l
left London, he said, by friend of hers
who did not wish his name to appear"
But" cried Lady Flora, in great sur
prise, Lefty must be fairy changeling.
Confess that this is little fiction or your
own, Colonel. TOu are the friend"
Indeed am not. answered the Colonel,
smiling. What | tell You is the simple
truth. The money was paid over to me. 1t
is as truly Lettys as if she had inherited
it from her father. What her genera is
friend motive was | can not of course pre-
tend TO say. Now, Lady Flora, shall we
call Percy in?"
But if l give my consent now" she
began.
You Will have our admiration and re-
spect. ~ Won always have had, and always
VIII, said the Colonel, bowling low over
the hand she held out to him.
All, she said, with a deep sigh, you
can do whatever you like with us, Colonel.
Lefty and my boy are happy in having
such friend. But do not know, all the
same
Here is Percy said the Colonel. Il
think | must leave him to plead his own
cause. He viii be more eloquent if he is
alone With you.7
CHAPTER XVIII
WHAT HAD BEEN HAPPENING IN LONDON.
If all that Mrs. Morton says is true
1T is true"
~ IL